And so a spyboy, a Lago, an officer, a Kilrathi, and a hotshot pilot finish up a simulator session in a bar…Zinda Tegram leans back in the simulator and closes her eyes. Why's she getting so worked up over a game?
Hrrin RaskThar: "Hah, Zinda. You didn't expect that I'd sneak up on you like that, did you?"
Zinda Tegram: "I had an inkling. I allowed it."
Hrrin RaskThar: "That is what they always say, isn't it?" The slight arch of brow-whiskers is classic Kilrathi smile.Zinda Tegram refuses to admit the Kilrathi was right.
Abraham Bounty: "Indeed. The 'Oh crap oh crap I'm going to die' look on her face was strictly to make you feel better Hrrin."Zinda Tegram makes a sound somewhere between a "Tch!" and a gasp.
Zinda Tegram: "Don't get ahead of yourself."
Abraham Bounty: "Personally I'd stop trying to get a head of Hrrin."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Bluffing one's opponent is important in combat, yes, yes." She leans back, streeettttches, and looks about from the sim pod. "And the lago gentlebeing we were here to meet, is….? Hm."
Karlt: "Right here." He waves from the bar. "Sorry, didn't want to interrupt."
Abraham Bounty: "Still I think we did well. I wouldn't have payed money to watch this fight, but it was a good evaluation I feel."
Karlt: "So, I see you brought some friends." He gives Abraham a nervous glance.
Karlt: "Can they be…trusted?"Zinda Tegram glances over to the stranger, then back to the blank screen in front of her.
Abraham Bounty: "I literally trust them with my life."
Hrrin RaskThar: To Abraham: "Much you can learn about someone by the way they fight, eh?" To Karlt, as she approaches, "Better yet, I trust him with my credits."The Lago snickers. "Ahh, the IMPORTANT things. That's good enough for me."
Abraham Bounty: "I'm /trying/ not to trust Hrrin with my credits, but I often enough wind up having to."Karlt looks around. What few bar patrons there are clear out. His gaze lingers on BBBB. He clears his throat, then nods to the door.Abraham Bounty looks at BBBB, then at Karlt. Something just happened here. He's not sure what, but definitely /something/.
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin flicks her ears, and shifts in her seat. Interesting…
B-4: "Yeah, I don't think so. Someone's gotta watch his back."B-4 points at Spyboy.
Karlt: "…oh. You're with…"
Spyboy Pearson: "Yeah. She is."
Karlt: "I see. Then, how familiar are they with this system? The Cylinder Factory, and the Warrens, in particular?"
Zinda Tegram: "I am not familiar with this system in the slightest."Zinda Tegram finally climbs out of the sim cockpit.
Karlt: "Then I shall explain. No, there is no time. I shall summarize."Zinda Tegram nods.
Abraham Bounty: "He gives the best summaries."Abraham Bounty finally rises from the sim.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Better from the local tongue, than the ConFed wiki. Go on, Karlt."
Karlt: "Our situation starts with that large red star outside. You may have noticed that very few systems with jump points have one."
Karlt: "Unfortunately, that is a dying star - and with it, our home planet. Nothing can survive for long on the surface unprotected."
Karlt: "Before the Terrans came along, we were forced to live underground. Many of us still do. This is the Warrens."
Karlt: "We had started setting up colonies like this, but it was too little, too late. We faced a very real risk of extinction."
Karlt: "Then the Terrans showed up, with technologies and industry we had barely dreamt of."
Karlt: "To keep it short and important, many more space colonies were assembled - and are still being built."
Karlt: "Every day, our people flee our former home by the millions, but there are so many more to evacuate. The limit is living space."
Karlt: "So you can imagine we take offense when someone - one of our own - seriously proposes to jeopardize this for personal gain."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Space is big," Hrrin quips under her breath, "But good real estate: highly limited!"
Spyboy Pearson: "You can only cram so many people in a space station before the life support fails. And compared with the surface, it doesn't seem to be that many."
Karlt: "Indeed."Zinda Tegram nods. "I am familiar with the logistical limitations of space habitation."
Zinda Tegram: "Personal and otherwise."
Abraham Bounty: "Are you thinking of a specific person then?"
Karlt: "We have appealed to the Confederation, but those who would waylay shipments apparently have spies in the official channels. No official effort to catch them has found anything but research and wealth accumulation within legal means."
Karlt: "Oh, I can provide you with their exact coordinates."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Hnnf. They 'jack supplies for hab construction?"
Karlt: "In short, yes."
Karlt: "Easily trackable! Hard to prove they're doing anything wrong - officially."
Karlt: "They're just making a new habitat. Which…isn't being used nearly as much as it should."
Karlt: "And isn't taking refugee ships they don't already have dealings with."
Abraham Bounty: "Ah, so you don't know who this person or persons are. I see."
Karlt: "We do not know the names of all involved, no."
Hrrin RaskThar: "'Gated community,' eh? Lagos tired of the press of crowds?"Zinda Tegram frowns. "Space habitation construction is far from subtle. Why is hard to prove they are doing this illegally?"
Karlt: "Is that the term? Does it still apply when you arm the gates?"
B-4: "Compared with the Warrens, a space station filled to maximum capacity is wide open space."Karlt walks over to the simulator and pushes a few buttons, then fishes a data chip from his pocket and plugs it in.
Spyboy Pearson: "Heh. If they're arming their station to restrict access - if they're not government, I can't think of a legitimate reason to do that."
Zinda Tegram: "I am given to understand that the confed does not enjoy the presence of armaments other than its own."Zinda Tegram glances at Abraham.
Abraham Bounty: "Sadly, I can. However, these other reasons are always very obvious."The simulator's screens blank out, then present views of a cylinder in space. One end is under construction, similar to the Cylinder Factory. The view zooms in on the other - everyone present recognizes the cannon turrets around the hangar.
Abraham Bounty: "And we don't."
Karlt: "Indeed. The weapons seem to disappear every time an official investigation draws near."
Spyboy Pearson: "Now that. That is very odd."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Good trick," Hrrin agrees.
Spyboy Pearson: "So you want a couple pilots to head out and take a look because you think we'll get shot at, whereas an investigator would get nothing."Hrrin RaskThar begins thinking of ways you could do that, in fact. Camoflague, yes. Retract? Disassemble. But also, sufficient notice of investigation would be needed…
Karlt: "In short."
Karlt: "Although infiltration might be desirable too, if you can think of a way to do it."
Zinda Tegram: "They could simply be on removable mounts. Just undo the bolts and hide them inside."Zinda Tegram takes another looks at the cannons. ((What sort of model?))Hrrin RaskThar nods at Zinda: Yes, they could. "Infiltration. Hmmm….most worthwhile, but how to explain… Would depend on what these splinter lagos are most interested in keeping our or in."
[OOC] WC GM: Zinda: give me a Gunnery check.Zinda Tegram rolled up 4dF: - - + + (Base: 3 Total: 3) (Gunnery)
Abraham Bounty: "I think what we need is a spy. Someone who has a desire to go to this station, in other words a Lago, with a hidden camera. Lagos aren't official, so the weapons should be readily displayed. Do we know any Lagos?"Abraham Bounty asks the question rhetorically.Zinda Tegram looks at Karlt. "Do we?"Hrrin RaskThar coughs into her hand.B-4 blushes.Karlt looks at BBBB. "Do we?"
B-4: "I'm….not much of a spy, really…"
Zinda Tegram: "What will be considered sufficient evidence?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "There is always the Cyrano option, regarding such things as 'competency'…" Hrrin why are you spouting off obscure earth literature references. What is this.
Karlt: "If the turrets are still there when an inspector comes by, that would suffice."
Abraham Bounty: "But film footage would not be enough?"
Karlt: "Although - it is not just Lagos that have been going in. Quite a few ships have been seen travelling from the jump point to this facility."
Karlt: "Attempts to trace where they came from have been…blocked."
Karlt: "In any case, humans - even a Kilrathi - might not raise too much suspicion per se."
Karlt: "Film footage, we have. But films can be forged."Zinda Tegram stretches one of her hands. "Karlt, what do you know about those turrets? I don't recognize the manufacturer."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Hmn. I'm not yet in 'on the books,' as a Collins resident. If this is shaded, then…"
Karlt: "I'm no weapons expert. I *think* they're lasers?"
Karlt: "Whatever these are, they're not in the standard Confed weapons library."
Zinda Tegram: "I see. Odd."Hrrin RaskThar leans in, taking a closer look at the blueprints herself.
Abraham Bounty: "Indeed. It implies that for once the smugglers aren't on the confed end."
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: May I roll engineering, or would it also be gunnery?
Abraham Bounty: "I honestly don't know how to react to that."
[OOC] WC GM: Engineering, sure - though it's tougher for you.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Would an aspect be relevant to invoke. Combat Engineer, or whichever one I put down for 'Grew up aboard ships?'
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: You can always hold off on Aspects.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: True.
[OOC] WC GM: "Stalking the Ships of Home" might apply
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Make your roll, if it's not good enough, sing out with an Aspect you want to Invoke.Hrrin RaskThar rolled up 4dF: + + - + (Base: 4 Total: 6) (Engineering)
[OOC] WC GM: …it's good enough.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: If it doesn't come up…. =p
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: I am impressed.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Then you've saved a Fate point.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: Chessa is sick, it would seem.Zinda Tegram mutters under her breath. "Stupid of them to move them all the way out here."
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Heh.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: I figured it was inconsequential, and thusly I get the good roll.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Wait. Waiiiit." Hrrin jabs a finger at the 'prints.Zinda Tegram puts a hand on Hrrin's shoulder.Abraham Bounty looks where Hrrin's harry digit is indicating.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Tegram. What kind of knight are you, that you can't recognize weaponry such as this?"Karlt widens one eye. "You recognize these? Are they Kilrathi?"Zinda Tegram sighs. "They're Oldzien."Hrrin RaskThar chuffs, a short sound of amusement. "Exactly."
Karlt: "…"Spyboy Pearson blinks
Hrrin RaskThar: "We've been shot at by this before."
Spyboy Pearson: "…That….was unexpected."
Abraham Bounty: "Interesting."
Zinda Tegram: "I suspect I know who dragged them over here, too."
Karlt: "That…would explain why they are not in the Confed databases I've seen."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Is it, 'Spyboy?'"
Hrrin RaskThar: "They are a local rogue element with arms to spare."Abraham Bounty shrugs. "/I/ didn't expect it at least."
Zinda Tegram: "Not quite."
Spyboy Pearson: "Sure - but they mostly use those arms against themselves."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Eh, it is the nature of merchant and business to expand, just as it is empire."
Abraham Bounty: "True. Exportation is new for them."
Spyboy Pearson: "Weapons here means someone in Oldziey has the ability to split its attention."
Hrrin RaskThar: "…point."
Zinda Tegram: "The criminals who originally mined the Oldzien jump points also engaged in trade in system, after finding out they couldn't really fight us."
Abraham Bounty: "A truce then?"
Zinda Tegram: "I doubt it's a proper kingdom."
Spyboy Pearson: "I see. That would make more sense."
Zinda Tegram: "It's likely they're involved, or perhaps just sold some off. The model is weak, but useful. In Oldziey we'd hide them in asteroids for ambushes."
Karlt: "…and the space station's kind of a large asteroid…"
Zinda Tegram: "It was stupid of them to leave them out, and to mount them on the target they're defending. The station is a large asteroid, but they're not being used most efficaciously. It is unlikely the user is Oldzien."
Spyboy Pearson: "Pirate, on the other hand…"
Spyboy Pearson: "Totally fits the means by which they're gathering resources."
Zinda Tegram: "That is my intuition. This means they will also recognize my craft."
Spyboy Pearson: "Can you use that to your advantage?"
Zinda Tegram: "Can you use the fact that an enemy will likely be totally unsurprised by you to your advantage? At times, but rarely."Zinda Tegram thinks back. Would there be any other factions in her system that could move these out here?Several.Now, which ones *would* move them? Depends on the motivation.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Hhn. Something else. That asteroid canon, that wouldn't be the only armament in play, here." She takes out a light pointer, and begins drawing ontop of the screen, to indicate. "That hangar port, it's wider than you'd need for simple shuttle and transport…"
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Jump-capable craft are hard to come by in the system I thought.
[OOC] WC GM: They are, but they can be acquired for the right price.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Fair enough.
Spyboy Pearson: "How much larger? Enough for fighter squadron launches, or are we talking small capital ship?"
[OOC] WC GM: A high enough price that they'd need a serious reason to acquire one.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Something big, something nasty. The firing 'barrel,' would extend, and extend, like so-" and she sketches a white line, down the length of the cylinder, and off into the space where further station would be constructed.After a second, Karlt audibly gulps.Hrrin RaskThar frowns. "And how long do your cylinders get?" She looks up from the blueprints, at the table.
Karlt: "…that…would explain the curious alignment. Even though most of its traffic has been from the jump point…"
Hrrin RaskThar: "Who wants this gun? Where is it pointed?"Zinda Tegram looks at it again. ((Anything like that we use? Oldziey tends not to use too much fixed weaponry.))
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: No capitals to shoot.Karlt taps a button. The view zooms out. The hangar is pointed directly at the Lago home planet - and zooming in again shows it specifically aimed at the main spaceport.Zinda Tegram rolled up 4dF: - 0 0 0 (Base: 3 Total: 2) (Alertness)
[OOC] WC GM: Oldziey would tear apart anyone who seriously tried to assemble this kind of thing in their system.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Just looking for other points of interest.Zinda Tegram frowns. "The cannon isn't ours. Is this information not sufficient information to call a strike team then?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Not really. It could be a cosmetic decision."
Hrrin RaskThar: "I can't prove there's a cannon. But the design is -very- suggestive, the sort of thing the Imperial fleet would have wanted pointed at Terra. We'd need confirmation, a closer look…"
Spyboy Pearson: "Though we do have time to get the evidence we need - space stations take a long time to build."
Abraham Bounty: "There is always probable cause."
Abraham Bounty: "This is certainly enough to get a search warrant, sometimes an arrest warrant, on any planet I've ever been on."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Bah, who would -want- this? For ransom? Dooming the survival of most of one's race, for what benefit?"
Spyboy Pearson: "There's probably a motive we're not seeing yet."
Zinda Tegram: "I can outline how the known cannons may be concealed, for the search team's benefit."
Abraham Bounty: "It could just be an ultimatum. 'Give us your Lucky Charms, or we blow up your space station.' Just a blackmail threat."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Few spend money on a weapon so large and grim that they do not dream of firing."
Abraham Bounty: "Of course not. If the Lagos don't give up the lucky charms, then they will fire, just to show they were serious."
Zinda Tegram: "So, what are we to do about it? This seems quite damning."
Karlt: "…I'll…see if I can get an official warrant, with this new information. In the mean time, if you could gather more evidence?"
Spyboy Pearson: "It's not damning, just extremely suggestive. Unfortunately."Hrrin RaskThar begins ticking items off with her fingers. "One. Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that weapon and intent to harm exist. Two. Notify authority with ability to act swiftly, moving past any reddened tapes." A quick, curious, glance at Abraham here. "Three: if need be, do it yourself and justify actions later to proper authorities."
Abraham Bounty: "Best way to do a latter is demonstrate a clear and present danger, which shouldn't be too hard if our analysis is even remotely correct."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Asking permission can be time-consuming. Contrition can happen afterwards."
Zinda Tegram: "And what of the smuggling charges? Those which I was to be convicted of if I didn't receive a pardon."
Intercom: "Attention. Attention. The Rock is now on lockdown. All travel to and from the shipyards is prohibited until further notice."
Abraham Bounty: "That will be problematic."
Spyboy Pearson: "Not until they bring your ship back."
Karlt: "…err. You, ah, have transportation in the hangars, not in the shipyards, right?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "I do."
Spyboy Pearson: "Most of us."
Zinda Tegram: "I do."
Abraham Bounty: "I came with Spyboy."
Hrrin RaskThar: "So, what is lockdown-worthy here? I should like to know."
Spyboy Pearson: "Reactor leaks are usually lockdown worthy. And we saw evidence of that earlier."
Spyboy Pearson: "Mind, could be something else using a reactor leak for cover."
Karlt: "So would I. I mean-"There is a muffled explosion in the distance.
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin's shoot right up, and she looks at Pearson in alarm, "You what-"
Intercom: "Warning. Quarantine breach. Warning, quarantine brea-"
Karlt: "…I think now would be a good time to head for the hangars. Mind if I join you?"
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin is already standing. "Why are we still here?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Uh - sure."Karlt heads out the door.Zinda Tegram straightens her gloves.Spyboy Pearson edges B-4 in front of him and the pair head out as well.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Interesting question - what are the chances that Pearson is armed?Outside is mass panic and confusion.In so far as there is any destination, "away from the Rock" and "toward the hangars" seem to be popular ones.Zinda Tegram follows follows Karlt.
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin stays to the corridor edges, confidently threading the crowd.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Stay behind me."
[OOC] WC GM: Appropriate checks to make your way. Name the skill before you roll.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: AlertnessZinda Tegram rolled up 4dF: + 0 0 0 (Base: 3 Total: 4) (Alertness)
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: To follow other people.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Agility?Hrrin RaskThar rolled up 4dF: 0 + - 0 (Base: 3 Total: 3) (Agility)
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Using Tactics to predict open spots in crowd.Spyboy Pearson rolled up 4dF: 0 - - - (Base: 4 Total: 1) (Tactics)
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Oh my effing gee
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: ….welcome back, Chessa…
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Always FP
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: And, eh, I feel like being completely -boss- at this, and tagging 'Stalking the Ships of Home,' because I want Hrrin to be smooth.
[OOC] WC GM: Sure! Use the FP or lose 'em.Abraham Bounty rolled up 4dF: + + - 0 (Base: 4 Total: 5) (Resolve)
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Only one I can think of is Practically Bunny, Definitely Human.Abraham, Hrrin, and Zinda forge a path. Spyboy…well, a path has been forged for him.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Just re-roll
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: With the FP
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: No need. He's got a path now.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Oh OK
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Don't you need to invoke an Aspect for that?
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: For re-rolls? No.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: ^
[OOC] WC GM: Even if you did, you just named one.
[OOC] WC GM: He's a native of this station.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: Technically everyone has a re-roll aspect called re-roll they use to re-roll.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Huh - must be a Dresden Files thing.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: …So, in theory, I could tag other people's re-roll aspect?
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: To force them to re-roll?
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: … Yes… and you would reroll. but not them.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Oh. Damn.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Cause that's not the case in Diaspora OR Spirit of the Century…Soon enough, the crew has made it to the hangars. Small craft and fighters are ignored as mobs swarm the transports - for once, taking a lot of people out of the station. But they can only take so many, and the authorities try to steer people to shelters instead.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Invoke an Aspect and you get +2 or a re-roll.Zinda Tegram makes a beeline for her fighter and goes underneath it to key the operating code and open the frame.
Karlt: "…how many people can you cram in a fighter?"Abraham Bounty wades his way to Spyboy's ship.
Zinda Tegram: "Do you need a ride Karlt?"
Karlt: "Yes please!"
Abraham Bounty: "Um… three if they know each other /very/ well."
Zinda Tegram: "There's an operator seat in the back. Watch the fridge. And don't touch anything."
Abraham Bounty: "Or don't mind knowing each other very well."Zinda Tegram glares at him to drive the point home.Karlt nods, then hops in.
Hrrin RaskThar: "You'll be fine if you do exactly as she says!" Hrrin stage whispers to Karlt.Spyboy Pearson tows Heggy towards their fighter - which isn't the shuttle she flew him and Abraham in on.Zinda Tegram flips a line of switches and the fighter folds in on itself, locking out all exterior lights.
Hrrin RaskThar: Pre-flight procedures are, of course, raced through on muscle memory. "Abraham, Pearson, you have my comcodes?"
Abraham Bounty: "Hrm… this isn't the ship we cam in on."
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: My true rank is Captain of the obvious.
Spyboy Pearson: "No….your point is very good timing."Zinda Tegram reaches up and flicks another line of switches.
Abraham Bounty: "I have them if Spyboy doesn't."Spyboy Pearson dashes up the ladder, closely followed by Heggy. Then he hops into the pilot's seat.
B-4: "Heh?"
Stern Lanze: "Exterior Cameras: Active"Spyboy Pearson grabs Heggy and pulls her into his lap.
Spyboy Pearson: "Take the back seat, boss."Abraham Bounty climbs aboard.Abraham Bounty takes the seat indicated.Zinda Tegram glances back to Karlt, checking the reaction as a full 360 degree view of the hanger is super-imposed over the cockpit.Traffic control indicators light up. Emergency evacuation is authorized: all ships clear to launch when they are ready.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Shoot, what was the name of Hrrin's ship…? Lynx's Greasy Paw, something like that? It is now.Karlt is impressed, letting the display suppress his gnawing panic at the situation.Spyboy Pearson pulls out a little-known exploit to reconfigure the pilot's controls, allowing him some access. His chin rests comfortably on Heggy's shoulder.Zinda Tegram pushes the throttle forward and cleanly levitates the ship out of the hanger using the vertical thrusters.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Abraham would probably fit better on Hrrin's ship, huh. Oh well, too late now!
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Am just fine with a quick re-con, but, eh!The canopy on Spyboy's ship - still called Red Four - starts lowering.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Temp Aspect on Red Four - 'Pilot In Operator's Lap' =p
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: -giggles-
Spyboy Pearson: "If you have any requests, sir, now would be the time…"
Hrrin RaskThar: Lynx's Greasy Paw sends a quick signal to traffic control to indicate, "Thanks for the smooth emergency procedures," and Hrrin gingerly powers up engines and eases the military-surplus craft out the hangar bay.B-4 spins the ship towards the hangar door and pushes the ship on out.
Abraham Bounty: "Do you have any jazz?"
Zinda Tegram: "Nervous, Lago?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Sure, but only if you don't mind it being accompanied by giggles."
Abraham Bounty: "Some jazz is very funny yes."
Karlt: "A bit. Uhh…uhh, darnit, I left the data chip back in the simulator. You remember where we're going, right?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Stern Lanze, Red Four. You there, ma'am?"Zinda Tegram ignores the question. "I am. Red four, do you have the target coordinates?"
Spyboy Pearson: "No, that's a bit too much for me to memorize - but give me a moment and I'll extrapolate."
Zinda Tegram: "Copy that."
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Using Tactics, based on the fact that we know it was pointed directly at the spaceport and there are only a few places that could do that and not hit an intervening rock.
[OOC] WC GM: Not to mention you briefly saw its position relative to the planet and the sun when it was zoomed out.Zinda Tegram activates an interior camera to make sure Karlt isn't touching anything.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Well, more accurately, using that to filter the list of construction sites…
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: I'll take that as confirmation of the roll…Spyboy Pearson rolled up 4dF: 0 0 - + (Base: 4 Total: 4) (Tactics)
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Much better. Not great, but better.Hrrin RaskThar pings Stern Lanze and Red Four, requesting com access. "Lynx's Paw. I should like not to be excluded from any further last-minute planning."
Spyboy Pearson: "Lynx's Paw. That you, Hrrin? Setting up commnet now."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Tegram, is that smooth jazz?"
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Whups, wrong ship. Ehhh….
Zinda Tegram: "Perhaps."
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6jCJZEFIto
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: My vision of the fighter cockpit is it has touchscreens for reconfigurable controls - what Pearson did is steal about six inches off the back of Heggy's control panels. Basically he's doing his job with just a keyboard. Which is easily possible, as anyone who has played a fighter sim knows.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Heh.
Abraham Bounty: "Zinda I never would have pegged you as a Miles Davis fan."Zinda Tegram keeps broadcasting the music. "Sanitize comms Lynx's Paw."
Hrrin RaskThar: Three overhead switches flicked, and a button punched on the lower control panel. Awfully redundant, these old machines. "Can do and done, Stern Lanze."
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Sanitize, as in, make sure encrypted? Want to make sure I've gotcha.
Spyboy Pearson: "You guys mind giving me remote communication systems access? I solemnly swear I will not use exploits to gain further access."
Spyboy Pearson: "Just want to set up an encrypted network…"
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Sanitize as in don't chatter on the comms while I play music. : D Zinda's just messing with you.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Heh - to me it means be careful not to say anything classified =p
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: That too.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Right, that's what I was thinking. As in, act like we're evac'ing, not…heading off to the other place inna hurry.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: OK, ret-con for that yeah.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: It coulda been both!Abraham can hear a few giggles from up front. Michael murmurs something to the Lago, who responds by giggling again.Zinda Tegram brings up an old style console and keys in the connect line for spyboy's commnet.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Access granted, Red. Nothing worth hacking on here, unless you'd like me to spiral off into the void."
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Stop that, there's a superior officer in back! Well then you shouldn't have put me in your lap, dear…
Zinda Tegram: "Am I correct to presume that I am presently flight lead?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Rather have you with us, Lynx's Paw. Affirmative, Stern Lanze."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Would you trust me as navigator?"
Spyboy Pearson: "Network engaged, encrypting….now."
Spyboy Pearson: "Uploading coordinates of the station that's most likely our target."Karlt eyes a monitor. "Yeah, that's the one."
Spyboy Pearson: "Good to know - had to figure out which one it was. I didn't think to grab the chip."Abraham Bounty studiously ignores the fraternization among his crew. They are maried after all.
Zinda Tegram: "Copy. Red four, re-designating you at 01, Lynx's paw, 02, Stern Lanze, 03. All units form on 03. Over."Zinda Tegram aligns towards the provided coordinates and begins the first burn.
B-4: "Copy that, 03. Entering formation."Hrrin RaskThar slides into formation, glad she's not sharing space with anyone else.
Hrrin RaskThar: "So…" Hrrin drawls. "Cover story?"Zinda Tegram engages her EM sensors and leans back, waiting for the second burn. "Careful with the asteroids. Anything with a cross section larger than 5 meters could be a gun."
Spyboy Pearson: "Radiation leak on station."
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Scene switch?
Hrrin RaskThar: "And we're heading to the place with guns, known to shoot people, because?"
[OOC] WC GM: Scene switch after cover story established. This is something you want to figure out.
Zinda Tegram: "02, ask Karlt. Over."
Spyboy Pearson: "Tired of those damn bunnies breaking stuff."
Karlt: "Well…I haven't heard of them *actually* shooting anyone yet."
Karlt: "But then, I don't know anyone who goes there, other than the inspectors."
Abraham Bounty: "Because we need to see if they're accepting refugees."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Right then. Who are we?"
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: so after we figure out the cover story we engage autopilot?
[OOC] WC GM: Yeah.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: I assume so.Hrrin RaskThar does not like walking into places she does not know, without a reason she can give to the people there, for why she is there.Half-assing her ass to Terra was enough seat-of-the-pants for a long, long, time.
Abraham Bounty: "People who were on the leaky space station who were asked to find places for evacuees to go to."
Spyboy Pearson: "Nah, they'll be able to wave us off."
Spyboy Pearson: "Mercs, maybe? We were looking for work with the Confederation but never had a chance to ask."
Zinda Tegram: "03 is going to look familiar to the target. 01 is military."
Abraham Bounty: "They might if we were non-coms, but what if a higher ranks personage was present?"
Zinda Tegram: "Only 02 can plausibly make a civilian case."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Freelance engineer -is- what I am, at the moment, yes."
Hrrin RaskThar: "We may need more than one story, if Lynx's Paw uses that."
Zinda Tegram: "I can't think of a convincing way to hide 03."
Spyboy Pearson: "That's what's nice about the merc angle - you don't need to. Are there other…'knights-errant' from Oldziey wandering the cluster?"
Zinda Tegram: "I've not heard of them."
Zinda Tegram: "Merc is plausible, I suppose. Actually, come to think of it, if they're who I think they are…"
Spyboy Pearson: "That's less nice. Would these smugglers be likely to shoot you on sight?"Zinda Tegram thinks back to her nickname.
Zinda Tegram: "I'm not really considered healthy to be around by them."
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin can be heard sniggering into her palm.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Neh, Zinda: we've worked together before, a little. Might we mock further association?"
Zinda Tegram: "Perhaps. Do you have an idea?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "As I remarked: Assumed Cannon is reminiscent of a design the former Imperial high-ups wished to, ahh…wished to deploy in Sol system. I am, unfortunately, a little familiar with the principle. We know eachother. And you are no stranger to bodyguard work, I recall?"
Zinda Tegram: "That is true. I am your guard then? They would be familiar with me in this capacity. I assent."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Hah. It would look good for my assumed status, to have the Hundred-Eyed Demon at my side, if there are Oldziey types about." There is a certain smug purr in her voice.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Infiltration by convincing someone you are important and meant to be there is always the best kind.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Bavarian Fire Drill what?
Zinda Tegram: "If there are Oldzien types about, I will not be considered of high status. The criminal element of this cluster fears me, however."
Spyboy Pearson: "Which means that how they react will be a big clue as to who is really supporting them."
Zinda Tegram: "Yes. So be it. That just leaves 01 as another guard?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "Perrrhaps. Or it may be advantageous to come in separately, with a second explanation."
Spyboy Pearson: "Yeah - having me as another guard works until we land and three people hop out of a two-man cockpit."
Hrrin RaskThar: "If they finger Lieutenant Bounty's identification, 'another guard' will look highly suspicious."
Spyboy Pearson: "I know I was the one to suggest the merc angle, but really I can't think of anything but refugee that works for us right now."Zinda Tegram looks back to Karlt. Is he touching anything?B-4 shifts in her seat and murmurs something. Spyboy responds.Karlt is behaving himself.Looking, but not touching.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: "I can think of something." "That's a terrible idea, honey."
Abraham Bounty: "Neither can I. Or at least 'scouting for places to refugee to'."
Karlt: "I…don't think they'll worry about mister Bounty."
Karlt: "If anything, he's our backup."
Hrrin RaskThar: "Leaving in a hurry -is- accurate. Ah, Karlt?"Zinda Tegram presses the key to let Karlt on the channels.
Zinda Tegram: "Repeat."
Karlt: "I said, I don't think they'll worry about mister Bounty, if they do identify him. Right, sir?"
Abraham Bounty: "Why is that?"
Karlt: "Well, you know, you, coming alone, unofficially?"
Karlt: "What *would* they think?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "Ahh. You -did- imply there was some manner of, ah, compromise."
Karlt: "Exactly."
Abraham Bounty: "Hrm… that could work."Zinda Tegram frowns. "Who the hell are you, Mr. Bounty? You're sure as hell not some Fedcom investigator."
Karlt: "You don't know?"
Abraham Bounty: "That's right. I'm not."Hrrin RaskThar grins, waiting for the reactions…
Zinda Tegram: "I don't even know who sent me my damn recall request. Did the federation even call me back here?"
Hrrin RaskThar: "You're chasing the wrong engine malfunction, Zinda. That's not 'Mr. Bounty's' jurisdiction at all."Zinda Tegram sighs.
Zinda Tegram: "I have some questions for when this is done, Mr. Bounty."
[OOC] WC GM: Alright, ready for autopilot to station?
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: I am.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: I'm good!
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Sure, if you want to cut past Abraham's revelation.
[OOC] WC GM: It sounds like he won't be revealing just yet.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Apparently we're further delaying it. This is cool.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: x D
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Yeah.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: I want to be able to see certain people's faces when I do.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Too bad. I was all set up for Michael's response.
[OOC] Spyboy Pearson: Though he figured out on the Rock that Abraham's no mere Lieutenant, and Lieutenant Commander isn't likely, either.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: Sorry.Long trips through space are long. But chatter whiles the time away. Just as Zinda states she has some questions, an incoming hail indicator lights up - the station is a slowly growing speck in the distance.A somewhat musical, feminine voice comes through. "Hello hello hello, dearies. What brings you to this part of the system?"Zinda Tegram watches the rocks on her EM scanner, in case there are any other hidden guns.
[OOC] Abraham Bounty: So I've decided that my next skill will be Profession (Jazz Pianist)…this is not standard traffic control.
[OOC] Hrrin RaskThar: Fabulous!Zinda easily spots several. This place is a fortress - and not a well-hidden one, aside from visually.Zinda Tegram marks off each gun on the tactical network.Someone's been an amateur about emission signatures.As the data comes through, Spyboy can correlate - it almost hurts in his professional standards.
Zinda Tegram: (On encrypted comms) "01, 02, you register those?"
Hrrin RaskThar: (Encrypted, typed out) "Noted."
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin takes initiative with 'air traffic control'. "A reactor leak is an excellent reason to skedaddle from The Rock proper, as I'm sure you've noticed."
Spyboy Pearson: Encrypted sideband: "Register what? The guns they thought would be camoflaged if they threw up some goddamn netting?"
TrafficControl: "Password accepted, dearies. You are clear to land."
TrafficControl: "You're not scheduled, but I suppose the containment leak *was* a bit of a surprise, wasn't it?"
Hrrin RaskThar: It's awkward, but Hrrin tries for the local patter. "You're a doll, then. Quite so, quite so!"
TrafficControl: "Don't worry about quarantine."Abraham Bounty mutters under his breath "Was it? I'm begining to wonder."
Hrrin RaskThar: Encrypted sideband: "Is this suspiciously easy to anyone else, even if we're slipping in under someone else's planned cover?"
TrafficControl: "Will you be staying long? I'll ask the conceirge to set you up with quarters."Abraham can see the bunny up ahead of him nod in agreement with him.
Abraham Bounty: "Not just easy, but accomidating."
Hrrin RaskThar: "At lease a few sleep-wake cycles. My bodyguard will require same."Zinda Tegram glides in beside Hrrin.
TrafficControl: "But of course. Three rooms. Enjoy your stay~."The "hidden" guns had been slowly powering up. They shut down. None of them are visible, but up close, it is easy to see how quickly they could be deployed.Abraham Bounty waits until TraficControl signs off, "If this is a luxury hotel, I'm honestly not sure how I'll react."
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Karit, are you going to be recognized?"Zinda Tegram points out the personal weapon storage to Karlt as we glide in.
Karlt: "Unlikely."
Zinda Tegram: Sideband: "01 get a shot of the suspected cannon as you float in."
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Don't worry. This ship records everything as a matter of default."
Karlt: "I'm only a civilian, who's been gathering evidence. Why would they know who I am?"
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Depends on how careful you've been about gathering evidence. But we should be okay."
Abraham Bounty: "That depends on how competent they are as well. Though if they investigate investigators the way the hide guns, you should be all right."
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Very true. Very true…."Nothing further challenges the team as they enter the spacious hangar. A number of craft are scattered about - mainly cargo ships, some technical. Zinda recognizes the marks of pirate bands that officially were at each other's throats last she heard.
[OOC] Zinda Tegram: Is the one that worked in Oldziey around?
[OOC] WC GM: Two competing Oldziey bands.Abraham Bounty indicates a specific couple of ships and asks Spyboy to make sure they're on film.
Spyboy Pearson: Murmurred back: "If you can see them, they're being recorded. This thing doesn't have any less cameras than Zinda's ship, just fewer monitors."
Abraham Bounty: "I see."
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Now…what would Crest Corporation be doing building a station housing a massive superweapon?"
Abraham Bounty: "Ignoring the obvious answer that it's a corporation, my guess would either be blackmail or jumping straight to starting up a war."
Hrrin RaskThar: Sideband: "Crest? You're bleedin' kidding me."
Abraham Bounty: "He's not. I've spoted at least six Crest markings myself."
Spyboy Pearson: Sideband: "Last question. Can they afford to let us leave, or are those hotel rooms they mentioned in the brig?"
Abraham Bounty: "I guess we'll find out."A tuxedo-clad, thin-moustached man, radiating the image of a butler, stands at attention near where the fighters are landing.
Hrrin RaskThar: Hrrin disembarks from Lynx's Paw, and takes a moment to put on her best Civilian Diplomatic Talking Head before approaching the incongruous…valet? Butler?Spyboy Pearson crosses his fingers, then pops the canopy.Zinda Tegram gets her plasma pistol and holster on before exiting her craft and taking a position at Hrrin's side.Abraham Bounty lets Spyboy and B4 disembark before he does.
Valet: "Very good, sirs. I'll have a crew refuel your ships. Shall I guide you to your suite immediately, or is there other pressing business you wish to tend to first?"Spyboy Pearson puts an arm around Heggy's waist and looks at Hrrin, the putative employer.
Hrrin RaskThar: "Really, it was -such- a long journey, even before arriving in-system. Away to the suite, settling in first, would be -wonderful-" Hrrin where did you learn to smarm like that. It's really disconcerting. Did you steal it from a movie?Abraham Bounty resolves /never/ to let Hrrin watch Casablanca again. Ever.The valet nods. "Right, then. This-"
Zinda Tegram: "My ship does not require service."The valet double-takes upon seeing Abraham.Abraham Bounty arches an eyebrow at the valet.
Valet: "…r-right. This way, sirs! If you wish to speak with the commander of this station, let me know and I shall have him summoned to your suite, sirs!"The valet begins walking quickly down a corridor.
Abraham Bounty: "Thank you."Zinda Tegram wordlessly follows Hrrin.The valet glances back at Hrrin, then Abraham, then Hrrin, then keeps his gaze fixed forward, trying not to break a sweat.